In what can only be called a tease, the Synod of Bishops issued a statement today concerning the long-awaited verdict in the Kondratick trial. The press release reads in full:

"The Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church in America met in executive session [on July 31, 2007], during which it heard the judgment of the spiritual court called to hear the accusations against Protopresbyter Robert Kondratick, made on behalf of the Metropolitan Council by Dr. Faith Skordinsky. The judgment of the court was presented by His Eminence, Archbishop Nathaniel of Detroit, presiding hierarch, who read the proceedings to the members of the Holy Synod. Notification of the judgment will be made in due course.

The Holy Synod will conclude its deliberations on Wednesday, August 1, 2007."

Speculation as to why the cryptic notice was even issued centers on the concern of the Bishops not to deliver an unfavorable verdict to Fr. Kondratick today, given his mother's passing yesterday, and her funeral tomorrow.